Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Are TTYs fading and being replaced by VPs?

G'day Everyone!

I thought I would touch on a topic today that I think will be on the minds of everyone in the Deaf Community. The Teletypewriter. OR TTY for short. Why is it gathering dust in most homes for the deaf now?

The answer is very obvious. We've progressed from the age of the big TTYs to the small and portable TTYs, to now we have arrived in the present state. Computer technology has given the rise to: AOL, Yahoo, MSN Instant Messengers. We communicate by sidekicks and blackberries. We even communicate on older cell phones of Short Message Texts (SMTs). Suddenly, a few years ago, the arrival of Sorenson and other Videophone companies have started the Golden age of Deaf Video Phones or DVP for short. Most of them are good for making quick calls to relay services.

It seems in this age now, we're getting faster and easier to communicate with each other and the hearing people.

But, I want to say one thing, Don't junk that TTY yet. Hang on to it. Some day, we may need it again. For what? I dunno.

Will Deaf VPs and IMs be the reached sky in the deaf community? No. We may improve one day again. Who knows to what level?

For now, enjoy the IMs and VPs. What a world for all of us to be so close tight community.

Semper FI VP and IM.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

TDD's ate almost like gold nuggets in the 3rd world markets.

Richard Roehm

Deaf Pixie said...

Agree with you that it is TTYs fading! But, What if something happened to you if you have a heart attack.. Use TTY because it is more faster than VP. Few state do have a 911 dispatch do use VP. it is very positive changed for A.D.A.

not all of the state. But phone bills is higher than we don't useful. but one problem that hearing loss need to use tty and knew nothing about VP. it is the reason why it is postive for hard of hearing who is not familir with VP or ASL interpreter. They would use their oralism. Their lifetime is not limit.

It is part of negative and positive issues.

Anonymous said...

The only time we would resort back to TTYs is when an alien invasion had occurred and all our best technological networks are destroyed. And we have to go back to using ASCII and Morse Code. Aame as seen in the Independence Day movie starring Will Smith

HA HA HA

Anonymous said...

No $*%t, Sherlock.

:-)

Jim said...

VP is for relay. You should know better that the TTY will be used to perhaps maybe call deaf friends if they don't have VP or a computer. If their computer crash and their pager does not work, the friend would use the TTY.

TTY can also should be use to call 911. Using the phone line, the emergency can trace to your place and bring emergency help as well. VP does not know your home address.

Anonymous said...

As others have said before me, TTYs shouldn't be junked. VP is like the deaf person's cordless or cellular phone -- it's good for instantaneous communication at our convenience. We call call friends across the country (or even the world) at only the cost the monthly broadband internet cost. But as far as emergency calls, well… TTYs are best. 9-1-1 can't be called on VP. If the internet's dead and a call needs to be made, that's what the TTY is for.

So keep your TTY. I will.

Deaf Pixie said...

Jim,

Exactly! Which is worth to save TTY and leave alone. It will be cost 30 dollars a month?

Worth or not worth???

Hate to waste 30 dollars as VP does similiar to hook up 30 dollars plus cell phone you use text or email cost 40-70 dollars depend if you havea kid's cell phone, DUH?

Avearge you spend about 150 or more than 150 dollars per monthly. Think about cell to not use it .. what if you got intrude in your house. YOu have to use cell phone. It is more wise and too risk to not loose your blood..

Deaf Pixie

Anonymous said...

As others have said before me, TTYs shouldn't be junked. VP is like the deaf person's cordless or cellular phone -- it's good for instantaneous communication at our convenience. We call call friends across the country (or even the world) at only the cost the monthly broadband internet cost. But as far as emergency calls, well… TTYs are best. 9-1-1 can't be called on VP. If the internet's dead and a call needs to be made, that's what the TTY is for.

So keep your TTY. I will.